NJ Blood Services Honors “Doers”

HILLSIDE—To thank them for their lifesaving contributions, NJ Blood Services (NJBS) has invited the chairpeople and volunteers who in the past year have been responsible for collecting thousands of unit of blood, to a recognition event being held at the Community Foodbank of New Jersey.

On March 25, NJBS will host A Taste of New Orleans within the foodbank in Hillside, offering an entertaining night of jazz and southern fare. In addition, NJBS will donate food products donated by blood donors at mobile drive, and by employees at the annual food drive held at the blood center.

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According to Marie Forrestal, Manager of Donor Recruitment & Retention at NJBS, the blood center likes to give back when they can. Hosting an annual recognition event for the “doers” who help to collect blood throughout the year, is one way to say thanks.

“We are in the fortunate position of working with the “doers” at our corporations, houses of worship, community groups and schools,” she noted. “These are the folks who make things happen and care about the communities in which they live and work.”

She said that aside from donating blood, NJBS donors also donate food that will benefit the foodbank.

“The blood center partners with the foodbank at least once a year to help fill their shelves with food. Our donor groups donate food at the various blood drives we hold throughout the state and NJBS provides containers and transportation to make sure the food gets to the foodbank’s shelves,”

Forrestal said. “So it’s one-stop-shopping for our donors. They are giving of themselves by donating blood, and at the same time helping to feed those less fortunate.”

The recognition event is being co-hosted with NJBS by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

NJBS, which is a division of the New York Blood Center, supplies blood products and services to more than 60 hospitals throughout New Jersey. There is always an on-going need for blood and all persons eligible to donate are asked to do so at the NJBS donor center at 167 New Street in New Brunswick or at 2279 South Avenue in Scotch Plains.

Questions of eligibility, or to make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566) or visit the website at www.nybloodcenter.org.